HOMEWOOD, Alabama -- Students at Homewood City Schools will have to adjust to some new leadership changes this upcoming year. Several schools in the area, including Homewood Middle, Hall-Kent and Shades Cahaba Elementary, will have new principals at their helm.

AL.com spoke to all three up-and-coming leaders about their past professional experience, their educational goals and the challenges they see ahead.

Here’s what they had to say:

Jimmie Pearson will serve as the new principal at Homewood Middle School. (Photo courtesy of Wilson Merrick)

Jimmie PearsonProfessional experience: Former teacher, assistant principal, principal, Area Director, and Area Superintendent of the Jefferson County Board of EducationProfessional recognition: Jefferson County PTA Outstanding Principal Award and the Adamsville Distinguished Service AwardWho he replaces: Dr. Martin Nalls, who will now serve as the Director of Support Services for Homewood City Schools

It will be a combination of “time and experience,” said Pearson, that he believes will help lead to his success as principal and the continued growth of Homewood Middle School.

“I will take a look at what they are doing,” he said, “and work from there. I plan to learn from them, review first and add what’s needed.”

His plan as principal, he said, is not to make “wholesale changes that are not needed” at the school, but rather, to change things as they need adjusting.

“It’s an exciting new adventure,” said Pearson about his new job, “all the better because I’ve already worked with (Superintendent) Dr. Bill Cleveland and several teachers at the school in the past.”

In order to familiarize himself with those who he isn’t already familiar with, Pearson said he has a simple plan.

“Communication is a key point,” he said. “I plan on walking around and simply talk to people. I want to get out in the building, let them get to know me. I want to make sure that students and staff feel certain that whenever they have an opportunity, I am approachable—they can always come in and talk to me.”

His most important task right off the bat, said Pearson, will be to remain a good listener.

“It’s important to see things from a different point of view,” he said.

And with that, he hopes to get started.

“I’m excited about being named principal,” said Pearson, “excited to work hard, learn about the city and really get involved.”

Abbie Freeman, new principal of Hall-Kent Elementary School (photo courtesy of Wilson Merrick)

Abbie FreemanProfessional experience: Current assistant principal at Hall-Kent Elementary, three-year assistant principal at Winterboro High School, former elementary teacher, Building Based Student Support Team (BBSST) Coordinator, and a Title I Resource Teacher/Reading coachEducational background: Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Jacksonville State University and a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership from Samford UniversityWho she replaces: Carol Lord, who retiring this year after having served as Hall-Kent principal since 2002. Lord began her teaching career at Hall-Kent in 1973.

“It’s such an honor to be part of an exemplary school and community,” said Freeman upon learning of her new role at Hall-Kent Elementary. “There are wonderful students and families here, rich with a tradition of excellence.”

It’s that expectation for excellence, said Freeman, that continues to motivate her.

“When you have excellence already in place,” she said, “you continue to work for it, to strive for maintaining it.”

Continued excellence, said Freeman, is a community-wide effort.

“Our families are incredibly supportive of the school,” she said, “they work very hard through the PTO and are involved in every step of the process. And here at the school, we have a faculty team that is completely devoted to ensuring that our students reach their full potential.”

As she transitions into her new role, Freeman said her goal is to get involved with all the different aspects of the school—no matter how small. Up first, she said, is a putting in place a comprehensive plan.

“A strategic plan will help give us a focus that we can implement now and expand into the future,” said Freeman.

It’s a future, she said, that looks bright.

“This past year has been so wonderful—I feel like there is more to come,” said Freeman. “I’m excited to continue that work. That’s why we’re here: to ensure that are kids continue to learn and thrive.”

John LowryProfessional experience: 11 years of total experience including a three-year term as assistant principal at Shades Cahaba and a four-year term as assistant principal at Creek View Elementary. Also served on the Strategic Planning Committee, Technology Steering Committee, as a Safety Plan Chairperson, and Instructional Planning Coordinator in HomewoodEducational background: Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Montevallo. Lowry is currently pursuing his doctorate degree from Samford University.Who he replaces: Sue Grogan, who is retiring this year after having served as principal of Shades Cahaba for 13 years. Grogan began her career as an admissions counselor at Birmingham-Southern College before becoming a classroom teacher in 1974.

“It’s such an honor and a privilege to be able to continue to serve the Shades community,” said Lowry about being selected to move up in the ranks. “It’s also a great responsibility to bear—educating children and all that goes along with that, so it’s still sinking in.”

Lowry said he chose to pursue the principal position and remain at Shades Cahaba because he appreciates the nurturing environment the school provides. After having served in another school system, which according to Lowry, did not have “that collaborative effort toward educating children,” he now more than ever understands the value of having the support of an entire community.

“I’ve grown to love the effort, the dedication that the whole community puts forth in valuing education,” said Lowry. “Anytime you have all of us pulling together, you’ve got the recipe for wonderful student outcomes, for wonderful students who will grow and prosper.”

As he embarks on this new journey, Lowry fondly recognizes the legacy he must now live up to.

“While working with Sue for the past three years, I discovered that she and I are kindred spirits,” said Lowry, “as far as our philosophies in how we value education.”

It’s a legacy, he said, that—because of its success—doesn’t need a major overhaul.

“There won’t be any major differences immediately noticeable,” said Lowry. “This school doesn’t need someone to come in and turn things upside down. I plan to continue many of the things already in place, but remain open and receptive to new ideas.”

His ultimate goal, he said, is to positively impact his students.

“I want to build a culture so that when students leave,” said Lowry, “they know—beyond a shadow of a doubt—that based on their actions and efforts, they are responsible for what happens to them; to teach them that they are in charge of their experiences and it’s in how they respond to those experiences that will affect whether or not they are successful.”